All's well! exclaims the midnight sentinel who marks each succeeding Ship-Bell of the watch; and the sound, repeated at intervals, proclaims the vigilance and precaution that is continued. Thus, in like manner, it again behoves us to declare that we have not slumbered at our post; but continue to hail those who have hitherto embarked with us, and taken a part in the anxious fatigue of our labours.

To conduct a periodical work in such a manner as shall offend no one, and to scrutinize its multifarious contents with that attentive delicacy, that may prevent their injuring the professional reputation of any individual; has often reminded us of the admirable fable of Æsop, in which the good-natured old man is at length obliged to destroy the object that caused such a complication of anxiety. Old Œolus, also, whom Virgil describes as seated on the cavern that contained his storms, struggling to escape, did not require a greater portion of patience, and prudent precaution, against the various attempts of his inflated subjects, than the Editor of a work, professing to record the biography of living officers; and in some measure endeavouring to abate that asperity which has often prevailed in the Navy, and thus injured the reputation of its brightest ornaments, by distorting, or withholding the truth.